Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. has received the 2013 National Trails Corporate Award from American Trails in recognition of its commitment to implementing trails for recreational use across the country. American Trails is the only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of trail interests and supporting cooperation and communication between all types of trail users today.
 
The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative’s Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails (GRANT) program recently celebrated its fifth anniversary in funding projects serving the diverse needs of the OHV community. To date, Yamaha has awarded more than 200 GRANTs and more than $2 million in funding and equipment in pursuit of the program’s mission of promoting safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable access to trails.
 
“Yamaha is truly honored to be recognized by and to have received an award from American Trails,” said Mike Martinez, general manager, Yamaha ATV and SxS division. “The goals and mission of Yamaha’s OHV Access Initiative are the blueprint for the work that has been accomplished via the program. It is exciting to see the efforts of all involved recognized by an organization committed to trails on a national level. Yamaha shares this award with the more than 200 individual GRANT recipients across the country.”
 
Also recognized at the American Trails International Symposium in Phoenix this week was repeat OHV Access Initiative GRANT award recipient Colorado’s Responsible Recreation Foundation for its “Stay the Trail” program.
 
“We want to take this opportunity to thank those in the OHV community, like the Responsible Recreation Foundation, who reach out for partnerships and resources to help ensure a safe and sustainable future for OHV riding,” said Steve Nessl, marketing manager for Yamaha’s ATV and SxS division. “Without the efforts of those on the ground — getting the job done each day — we wouldn’t see our mission become a reality.”